NEIL McDonald has made an unexpected return to football after agreeing to help Ostersunds FK attempt to avoid relegation from the Swedish Third Division.

The former Newcastle United defender hasn’t worked since his controversial departure from Carlisle last month but, although he had been tipped to return to St James’s Park to join Sam Allardyce’s coaching team, McDonald’s immediate future lies in Scandinavia.

The 41-year-old has signed a short-term contract at the Jamtkraft Arena and will manage a struggling side for their final five fixtures in this season’s Norrettan, the Swedish game’s third domestic tier. Ostersunds are second bottom in the league table.

OFK officials sacked coach Stefan Regebro following last weekend’s 3-3 draw against Grondals IK – a game in which the home side managed to score twice during the final five minutes to avoid another damaging defeat.

With an important trip to Skiljebo SK – Ostersund’s closest relegation rivals – next on the agenda, it was decided in the Jamtkraft boardroom that a change in management was required.

McDonald – who worked under Allardyce at Bolton – was the surprising choice to succeed Regebro and the Tynesider will be in charge when OFK head to Hamre this weekend for a game the visitors cannot afford to lose.

Swedish sources last night revealed that, having forged close links with Swansea City in recent years, Ostersund chairman Rolf Lohse asked the League One club to help him find a suitable coach. McDonald was recommended and an agreement between the parties was soon reached.

McDonald – sacked by Carlisle just one game into the Football League campaign – has agreed to work with OFK until the Swedish season ends next month. Last night he took training for the first time.

Among players the former England Under-21 international has inherited is Daryl Smylie. The former Newcastle reserve-team player joined the club from Livingston earlier this year.

Meanwhile Darren Campion has won a contract with Carlisle United after the former Birmingham prospect impressed Greg Abbott during a successful trial at Brunton Park.

The 19-year-old full-back has agreed a deal that will keep him in Cumbria until December 31, with Campion having been challenged to prove that he is worth a permanent place in the League One club’s squad.

“Darren has shown a fantastic attitude and he deserves this chance to earn himself an even longer contract,” Abbott, the club’s caretaker manager, said last night.

“It’s a contract that suits both the lad and the club and it gives him the chance to settle in and really show what he can do.”

Campion will push for a place in Abbott’s first-team plans, but Martin Ekani has no future at Brunton Park. The former Lens defender has returned to France following a less-successful trial with the Cumbrians.

“He has decided he’s never going to be aggressive enough for English football,” added Abbott.

“Those were the player’s own words.

“You often find that foreign players struggle with that side of our league.